“Hop on, let’s go for a ride and you’ll see,” he said.
“What now?”
“You’ve got something better to do?”
“Well yes, we both do—graduation is in a week. Besides, we shouldn’t leave the base without permission.”
Heinz grinned deviously. “I know a back way out of here. No one will know we’re gone.”
Gabi knew that it was wrong to leave the academy without permission, but she had never been on a motorcycle before and found its lure irresistible. “Well, all right then. Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
Gabi straddled the bike, nestled into the pillion seat and pulled on the leather cap, leaving a long ponytail dangling down her back. A forceful kick brought the beast to life, its engine spluttering fitfully before Heinz revved the bike into motion.
“Hold on,” Heinz said over the roar of the engine. “I like to ride hard and fast.”
Gabi tightened her grip around his waist, nervous energy building to a giggle of anticipation as the bike made its escape.
They rode for almost two hours through Landsberg am Lech and Schongau, along the river and into the Bavarian Alps, lost in a blur of sensation that took them high into the hills, their bodies leaning in unison as if they were one, weaving their way through quaint hamlets and forests speckled with flecks of gold and rust, the brisk breeze filling their lungs and refreshing their skin. They eventually pulled up to a lookout where they dismounted and stood together, awkwardly gazing at a fairy-tale castle perched on a hill; two young, hormone charged teenagers wondering if this would be the moment.
“It’s lovely, Heinz… just gorgeous.”
“Did you know King Ludwig II of Bavaria built Neuschwanstein in 1873? Apparently, he was a bit of a romantic nutter. They found him drowned in a lake not far from here.”
“Bizarre story. Does anyone live in it now?”
Heinz cleared his throat with a nervous cough. “I’m not sure but if I had the money, I’d buy it for you.”
“Buy me a castle? What for?”
“Because I think you deserve to be treated like a princess.”
“That’s sweet,” she said, not sure if Heinz was being serious.
He moved closer and wrapped himself around her. “Will you be my princess?”
Gabi grimaced. What did he expect her to say?
“I know, I know, I sound like a schoolboy. But I’m not and I’m sincere about it, Gabi. I really like you.”
Gabi looked into his hazel eyes, placing her hands on his cheeks and drawing his lips to hers. They kissed. It was a soft, dreamy exchange that lingered. Gabi pulled back and gazed at Heinz, his eyes closed, his lips slightly parted, his breath poised. She kissed him again, feeling his body tense and goosebumps tingling on her own arms and legs. Would he go all the way?
Heinz glanced behind him and guided her to a hidden patch covered in autumn leaves where they lay down together. It was cool and soft and the musty scent of the forest reminded Gabi of her home in Saxony. They kissed feverishly, Heinz groping clumsily at her breasts. Both were writhing and totally aroused.
“Now, Heinz—I need you now.” She fumbled frantically to unfasten her trousers.
Heinz, who had slipped his trousers down with record speed, struggled ineptly to assist.
“I can do it!” She squatted over him and guided him into her.
Heinz embraced her tightly, rolling Gabi onto her back and thrusting deeply. She groaned, slowly at first with exquisite relief, like scratching an itch just out of reach. He jabbed at her, again and again, until she cried out in a frantic tremor that brought on his climax a moment too soon. She pressed herself hard against him, but the moment had passed and so she eased back onto the ground. They lay in each other’s arms, exposed and vulnerable but blissful in their embrace.
Then, as spontaneously as their coupling had started, Heinz declared its finale. “I have to pee.”
They dressed and returned to the bike, radiant and euphoric from their love-making.
“Can I have a go?” Gabi asked.
“Sure, let me show you.” Heinz climbed on the bike and took the riding position. “Three gears, clutch here, twist grip throttle here, brakes here. Just remember to accelerate slowly and take your time changing gears. Got it?”
Gabi nodded. How hard could it be? After all, she could fly an aeroplane better than most. She swung her leg up and over the seat and onto the worn, leather padding. Heinz squeezed himself in behind her, confidently resting his hands on his thighs. Clasping the handlebars, she kick-started the bike and accelerated. It lurched forward and stopped with a jolt. Heinz grabbed either side of Gabi’s leather jacket for support and chuckled. She tried again, this time gently twisting the throttle and the bike eased forward smoothly. She smirked triumphantly and changed gears. Easy. Now, for some speed.
Heinz couldn’t dismount fast enough when the bike finally swerved to a halt back at the academy.
“You’re dangerous… way too fast. I’m sure I showed you where the brakes were.”
Gabi laughed. “And you call yourself a fighter pilot. You need to grow some balls.”
“Don’t ever joke about my balls,” he said, turning his back to her, and Gabi knew that she had gone too far.
“I’m sorry, Heinz. I didn’t mean it. You’re one of bravest people I know.”
“You don’t have to exaggerate. I know what I am. But you know what, Gabi? One day, I’ll be a hero and have a medal to prove it.”
It was time for the fledgelings to leave the nest. Gabi’s father flew from Berlin to attend her graduation ceremony, making it clear that he could only stay a short time for he had pressing matters in Berlin. Heinz had spoken to his mother, who was unable to attend due to ill health. She suffered from a chronic chest infection that rendered her weak and too poorly to travel. Instead, his brother Kurt and his buddy Hans Phillip would take her place.
The cadets spent days rehearsing flight routines for their aerial performances and no one was more conscientious than Gabi. As dux of her class, she would perform solo and she practised her routine incessantly, determined to make her father proud.
The conditions were perfect on the morning of graduation; frosty but sunny with a light southerly breeze. The aerial show was the first of the day’s events so the cadets dressed and readied themselves early, checking and double-checking their gear to ensure all was in order, nervous chatter filling the room where they waited to be called. A large crowd assembled along the main runway and a temporary stand erected for the officers and dignitaries took centre stage.
The crowd cheered as the cadets ran onto the field for the line up where Major Stern inspected his fledgelings for the last time, barking his orders and watching with pride as they sprinted to their planes. A group of six fighters took off and performed a few neat but unremarkable synchronised manoeuvres. The crowd clapped politely.
“That’s the future of the Luftwaffe?” Kurt took a swig from his flask and handed it to Hans. “I hope they can do better than that or we’ll be speaking English in a year.”
“You’re such a patronising bastard.” Hans gulped a mouthful from the flask and coughed his dislike for the rough brew. “They’re only graduates.”
The next group performed with more bravado but still failed to excite an expectant crowd. Finally, Gabi and her group took to the skies, Gabi flying front and centre of the arrow formation.
“I think this is Heinz’s pack,” Kurt said. “He’s number five.”
They watched the formation execute a tight loop and shoot off like buckshot, charging the atmosphere with simulated dog-fights that thrilled the crowd.
“This is more like it,” Kurt said. “The big oaf can actually fly.”